July 29

Second Monday after Trinity

And bade many. S. Luke 14:16.

THE delights of God are with man; He loves to speak to his heart, and therefore the secret of a spiritual life consists in knowing how to retire into one's own heart and dwell therein with God. A child, while weak and tender, is nursed, petted, indulged, and soothed. When he grows older, placed under rule, he is obliged to do things which are unpleasant, and of which he does not as yet see the use; when necessary, he is treated severely. Why? To draw out his powers, and prepare a useful and happy life for him in the future. God acts in the same manner towards His children. He intends them for citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem. When they begin to give themselves up to Him, He makes the greatest allowances for their weakness, in order to win their hearts; He makes all things easy to them, He puts temptation away. When they grow stronger, and are capable of receiving solid lessons in the interior life, He prescribes difficult duties, and requires their fulfilment with extreme severity. The language of grace is no longer tender and persuasive, it is strong, imperious, and threatening. He fits his exercises, trials, and temptations to their strength; and the more He has endowed them with powers natural and supernatural, the more He demands of them, till they are moulded to all virtues. When they have reached that point of perfection to which He desires to bring them, He crowns their struggles and obedience, makes them everlastingly partakers of His glory.

Blessed day which hastens fast,

End of conflict and of sin!

Death itself shall die at last,

Heaven's eternal joys begin!

Then eternity shall prove

God is Light, and God is Love!